DNA replication is the process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules. Replication is an essential process because, whenever a cell divides, the two new daughter cells must contain the same genetic information, or DNA, as the parent cell.
The replication process relies on the fact that each side of the original strand of DNA can serve as a template for duplication. A double strand of replicated DNA consist of one old, single, strand and one, new, single, strand. DNA replication initiates at specific points, called origins, where the DNA double helix is unwound. RNA consists of a single strand similar to one side of double-stranded DNA. A short segment of RNA, called a primer, is then synthesized and acts as a starting point for new DNA synthesis. An enzyme called DNA polymerase next begins replicating the DNA by matching bases to the original strand. Once synthesis is complete, the RNA primers are replaced with DNA, and any gaps between newly synthesized DNA segments are sealed together with enzymes.
DNA replication is a crucial process; therefore, to ensure that mistakes, or mutations, are not introduced, the cell proofreads the newly synthesized DNA. Once the DNA in a cell is replicated, the cell can divide into two cells, each of which has an identical copy of the original DNA.
1. What is replication?
2. Why must replication occur?
3. Why is it important that DNA is a double strand?
4. What is it called when a new strand of DNA is added piece by piece to an original single strand of DNA?
5. What enzyme synthesizes the new single-strand of DNA piece by piece using an original single-strand of DNA?
6. How does the cell ensure that mistakes were not made during replication?
DNA replication is the process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules. Replication is an essential process because, whenever a cell divides, the two new daughter cells must contain the same genetic information, or DNA, as the parent cell.
The replication process relies on the fact that each side of the original strand of DNA can serve as a template for duplication. A double strand of replicated DNA consist of one old, single, strand and one, new, single, strand. DNA replication initiates at specific points, called origins, where the DNA double helix is unwound. RNA consists of a single strand similar to one side of double-stranded DNA. A short segment of RNA, called a primer, is then synthesized and acts as a starting point for new DNA synthesis. An enzyme called DNA polymerase next begins replicating the DNA by matching bases to the original strand. Once synthesis is complete, the RNA primers are replaced with DNA, and any gaps between newly synthesized DNA segments are sealed together with enzymes.
DNA replication is a crucial process; therefore, to ensure that mistakes, or mutations, are not introduced, the cell proofreads the newly synthesized DNA. Once the DNA in a cell is replicated, the cell can divide into two cells, each of which has an identical copy of the original DNA.
1. What is replication?
2. Why must replication occur?
3. Why is it important that DNA is a double strand?
4. What is it called when a new strand of DNA is added piece by piece to an original single strand of DNA?
5. What enzyme synthesizes the new single-strand of DNA piece by piece using an original single-strand of DNA?
6. How does the cell ensure that mistakes were not made during replication?